If you spend enough time on the internet, you’re going to find people claiming wild rumors and conspiracy theories as true. When people have free range to espouse whatever they want, you get an eclectic collection of rumors, speculation, and predictions. In the automotive world, there’s one car that’s fostered a cult-like following—the mid-engine Corvette. This is a car that’s been in some sort of development for decades—or so the rumors go. However, now more than ever it appears those rumors are true, which is causing everyone with a keyboard and internet connection to speculate about the supercar. The latest rumor swirling is the car’s starting price, which one Corvette Forum user suggests is $169,900.Â
You can’t believe everything you read on the internet. However, the user that posted this nugget of information had previously provided other tidbits of credible info the past. However, that shouldn’t dissuade you from critically looking at the information separate from the user’s previous posts. The $169,900 suggested price puts the mid-engine Corvette in league with other venerable supercars such as the Audi R8, McLaren 570S, Porsche Turbo S, and many, many more.Â
That price also goes against one of the Corvette’s best attributes – affordable performance. Yes, high-performance models still command a hefty price. However, the Corvette punches far above its price point to take on supercars that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. A $170,000 price tag puts the mid-engine Corvette out of reach for many enthusiasts. This price also puts the brand’s ability to be cheap and powerful at risk, but not in the way you likely think. If the mid-engine Corvette has a $170,000 price tag, then it will need to crush competitors that are double or triple its price – and that’s a lot harder to do when you’re talking six-figure price figures.
Previous reports from well-sourced automotive journalists indicated a mid-engine Corvette base price to be much, much lower. We’re talking not much more than what the current C7 Corvette is today. That said, a recent curve ball of a mysterious key fob could have this $170,000 claim cross-wired with a mid-engine Cadillac – which we also can’t say for sure is true.
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Comments
I doubt it, it might start around $60-70k I believe. Could be wrong, but there’s no way it will start around $170k.
I would not give a dollar for the car that has that kind of cheap looking key fob.
Yep, hope that’s not a final version. That plastic key fob looks cheap indeed.
There will be two Corvettes: the Stingray, updated and with more hp; and the Zora ME, a supercar that will dominate the track, priced above the ZR1. Porsche does the same thing with the 911 and Cayman. Zora will be GM’s flagship in the world market, especially China.
I hope you’re correct, Paul. That strategy makes perfect sense. I believe that’s why they brought back the Stingray name. It also make sense from a customer point of view. The Stingray will continue to satisfy the current Corvette loyalists and the Zora will appeal to younger and possibly more affluent audience. Hopefully the “2 Corvette” strategy will expand the Corvette market and extend its life.
The C7 is at the end of its life as a Corvette.
Once the new car is out and the gains are recognized few people will trend back in enough numbers to keep it around long.
Building two cars would kill them both as it would dilute sales of each to unsustainable numbers.
The C7 will be around for a year or two just to keep the high end models availsble till the C8 versions are in production.
The only thing that could save the C8;is if it is converted to a Cadillac roadster once Chevy leaves the platform.
The Porsche plan is not sustainable with the Corvette. The C8 is not going to be as expensive as you think in base form.
Also Porsche is a brand that needs many models to survive. The Corvette is not a brand it is a model that only needs one model to survive with a couple variations.
There will only be one C8 Corvette – the one we’ve seen in captured fleet testing and at the Nürburgring.
Those who want a front engine sports car can buy a Camaro, which will be refreshed in a couple years with a more modern design reminiscent of a front engine Corvette.
The devil is in the details and this is something we are on the outside looking in and have absolutely nothing about the C8 Corvette except it’s appearance; if the C8 Corvette is an all carbon fiber car including it’s skeletal components then the C8 Corvette will most likely be lighter than the C7 which should afford the base C8 Corvette to be possibly more capable than a C7 Z06 then the price would be about $120-130K with the top tier C8 Corvette Z06 being in the $155-170K range.
Well we have a pretty good idea due to the supplier leaks it is not a full carbon car.
The C8 May be lighter due to better placement of components and computer designing.
The base car will come in at around $70 k.
GM has a good formula in price and models and they will not mess that up.
Even the old guys will adapt just as the did to no flip up lights and no round tail lamps.
You heard the complains before and after 6 months they go away and they sell more Vettes.
If the ME costs $170K, 2020 will be the last year for the Corvette. GM won’t sell more than a thousand of them, and the bean counters will shutter the assembly plant.
Now we have a ‘real’ world pricing structure for the Chevy super car. Anybody who ‘unrealistically’ thinks this special vehicle will cost under $100k … well their elevator does not reach the top floor of critical thinking. And… the Sting Ray will continue to be offered for many years to come.
ALTHOUGH I CAN’T BUY A $170K HOT ROD, IT IS STILL LESS THAN HALF THE COST OF THE RECENT LIMITED BUILD (AND ALL SOLD BEFORE HAND) FORD RIVAL. I SINCERELY HOPE THEY CONTINUE BUILDING THE STINGRAY FOR A VERY LONG TIME (AND WITHOUT STOP-START)…
Anyone that can afford a $170k car can afford a $300k one. So why would you buy a vette if you could get a McLaren or Ferrari or Lambo?
This is why nobody is buying the NSX. A bargain super car is not a bargain.
Myth: BUSTED!
Megatron,
Probably right, most of the time, although a friend bought a Ford GT when they were new at $160K but would never had done so at $300, even today. Agreed that many buyers buy for name recognition (or perceived status), many others buy for performance or just styling preference. If Ford or Chevrolet can build cars that are equal or possibly a better quality product for a lot less money, I think maybe we’ve underestimated the domestic brand followers.
a) your friend must have some cash to spare
b) If your friend was rich, than whats the diff between 160 and 300?
$170,000 with only 500 Horsepower will never fly.
500 hp will be the base engine. The Cadillac TT V8 will be the upgrade to 600 and eventually 800. May add electric motors on the front wheels to get 1000.